Vols looking for more weapons

Posted: Wednesday, October 17, 2001

By Elizabeth A. DavisAssociated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee tailback Travis Stephens and receiver Kelley Washington have provided most of the offense for the No. 11 Volunteers the past month, and coach Phillip Fulmer wants to get more players involved.

Washington, a 22-year-old freshman walk-on, was made a starter when Donte Stallworth fractured his left wrist in the season opener and Eric Parker went down with a separated shoulder in the next game at Arkansas.

Stephens, who leads the Southeastern Conference and is third in the nation in rushing at an average 147 yards a game, has been mostly alone running the football.

As the Vols (3-1, 2-1) approach the ''Third Saturday in October'' and a visit to Alabama (3-3, 2-2), Fulmer is looking for more out of the offense.

''We need to be a more complete offensive football team. That's getting more people involved in what we're doing,'' Fulmer said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.

For the first time since the season opener, the Vols could be restocked at receiver and able to spread the field.

The Vols had an open date last weekend after losing 26-24 in the last 5 seconds to Georgia on Oct. 6.

''The open date helped us at this particular time to heal both bodies and souls after the disappointing loss,'' Fulmer said.

Stallworth, who came into the season as Tennessee's leading receiver, will have another X-ray on his wrist Wednesday to determine if he can play Saturday.

He would have to play with at least a soft cast, and if he does play, he won't be 100 percent, Fulmer said.

''It will be darn good to see him break the huddle, I'll tell you that,'' Fulmer said.

Parker has been limited in practice and in games because of his shoulder, but last week's open date helped him recover.

Washington developed some pain of undetermined origin in the side of his left foot last week, but he will play Saturday.

Fulmer said he'd also like to get some of the younger players more time on the field. But finding a good time to send them out has been hard.

''It's one of those years we haven't had any cushion. We didn't have any 'Let's take a look at so-and-so when we cross midfield or whatever,''' he said.

Preseason injuries also slowed some of the freshmen, including tailback Derrick Tinsley, who had heart surgery, and receivers Jomo Fagan and Tony Brown, who had hamstring problems.

Montrell Jones, a highly-touted receiver from Kentucky, has taken a while to learn how to adjust to coverages but is getting better in practice, Fulmer said.

Sophomore Jason Witten, arguably one of most athletic tight ends Tennessee has had in recent years, got more action as a receiver in the Georgia game and still figures in Tennessee's scheme.

''So many times you don't line up and say, 'I'm going to throw it to him.' It depends on the coverage,'' Fulmer said. ''We're going to try to get the ball to the best players, and he's one of our best players.''

The Vols also rely on receivers Bobby Graham, who Fulmer calls a ''great route runner,'' and sprinter Leonard Scott.

Fulmer said he is also looking for quarterback Casey Clausen to continue managing the game well and making good decisions.

Kicking, which fell apart in the Georgia game, was emphasized in the open week practice. Punter Dustin Colquitt will remain the starter.

Georgia returned a punt for a touchdown, and Fulmer wouldn't say Tuesday if there would be changes in the coverage team personnel.

''You can see that on Saturday,'' Fulmer said.

This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, October 17, 2001.